Sea Star Wedged Between Rocks in Tide Pool
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 2:59:36 PM · 2026/Schoolhouse Beach Tide Pools
This extreme close-up macro photograph captures a purple sea star (likely Pisaster ochraceus) wedged tightly between two barnacle-encrusted rocks in an intertidal zone. The underside of the starfish arm is partially visible, revealing its tube feet extending upward to grip the rock surface above. The sea star's aboral surface displays a striking textured pattern of white ossicles (calcium carbonate nodules) against a deep burgundy-purple base color. The wet, glistening rocks suggest a low tide environment at a Pacific coast beach, with the shallow water visible below. The intimate framing gives the viewer an unusual perspective on how sea stars anchor themselves in rocky intertidal habitats.
Chronologically Adjacent
